USU Extension Helps Nutrition Program Celebrate 40 Years

The federal Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program, also known as EFNEP, celebrates 40 years of nutrition assistance this year. In Utah, the program is in partnership with Utah State University Extension and others.

 

EFNEP is designed to assist limited-resource audiences in acquiring the knowledge, skills, attitudes and changed behavior necessary for nutritionally sound diets. The program also contributes to personal development and the improvement of the total family diet and nutritional well-being.

 

“County Extension family and consumer science professionals provide training and supervise peer educators and volunteers who teach EFNEP in their local communities,” said Paula Scott, Utah EFNEP Northern Region coordinator. “They provide nutrition lessons, free of charge, to families and youths to help improve their quality of life. They teach basic concepts of food and nutrition, shopping skills, meal planning, food safety and food resource management.”

 

In 2008, there were 590,273 adults and youths served through the program nationally, and 13,800 served in Utah, she said. Nationally and statewide, program coordinators are seeing improved food safety practices, increased meal planning and shopping with a list.

 

EFNEP graduate Miguel Soto told of the diverse things he learned from the program.

 

“I learned to cook more nutritious meals, to plan our menus with my wife and to save money and time when shopping for food,” he said.

 

Scott said program leaders are also seeing increased reading of nutrition labels, making more healthful food choices and an increased intake of one serving of fruits and vegetables per day.

 

“This is exciting and shows that the program is helping people become more nutritionally minded and is in turn helping them develop a healthier lifestyle,” she said.

 

According to Siew Sun Wong, state director of Utah EFNEP, the strong and steady impact EFNEP has made in Utah is above the national EFNEP average. This impact is measured through entry and exit comparisons.

 

“On average, more than 97 percent of all adult participants made at least one positive change in their eating habits when they completed the program,” she said. “In 2008, the percentage of adults who exercised for at least 30 minutes a day increased from 58 to 81. Families reported saving 5 percent on groceries while also achieving a healthier lifestyle. Touching lives this way is one of the best rewards from working with EFNEP.”

 

Outreach locations for the program are in Davis, Salt Lake, Weber and Morgan counties. Contact a local county Extension office for further information, or visit the EFNEP Web site.

 

 

Writer: Julene Reese, 435-797-0810